Detroit reparations task force working to submit proposal despite bickering, vacancies – By Dana Afana (Detroit Free Press) / Feb 11, 2024
Detroit’s reparations task force is eight months away from its deadline to submit recommendations, which would address systemic racism toward Black Detroiters, but the board has been losing members and may need more time.
Executive Committee co-chair Keith Williams said he is working “as feverishly as possible” to submit everything by October, but may ask for more time if necessary. The 13-member body, which meets the first Saturday of each month, got a slow start and has since faced bickering among officials, concerns about transparency — and the task of filling vacancies, including that of a member who resigned at Saturday’s meeting.
JoAnn Watson, who served on the executive committee, died last year. Members who resigned before this month’s meeting include co-chair Lauren Hood and Maurice Weeks. Two of the vacancies were filled by Jasahn Larsosa, executive director, GreenLight Detroit; and Edythe Ford, director of community engagement at MACC Development. Other members weighed resignations, according to BridgeDetroit, though they remained on the board as of last Saturday.
